Your favorite RC paper? I'm just getting back into the darkroom after a 20 year lapse and I don't what papers to try. I do know that I like RC, mostly because it dries so nicely (the only difference my untrained eye can tell between my RC and FB prints is the RC print is flat -not curled). I have tried Ilford MG IV RC and Kodak Polymax II RC. I liked the Ilford but didn't seem to get rich blacks and it doesn't seem to selenium tone well. The Polymax gives rich blacks and takes a selenium tone, but it seems to lack the tone depth of Ilford ( I need to use multiple filter grades on the same print to keep detail in the shadows). What other papers should I try? (PS. I'm printing 2.25 " negs from a 1950's Rolli.) Thanks!

-- Larry Korhnak (lvk@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu), August 21, 1998

Answers

Re: Your Favorite RC Paper

I am surprised you have received no replies! I only use RC paper for contact proofs and use fiber paper for all other printing so I can't help. Sorry!

gene

-- Gene Laughter (genealt@aol.com), August 29, 1998.

I use Ilford RC multigrade for print. For toning I use pearl or matt paper. But I like mostly pearl paper for better retouching. In contact print Ilfospeed glossy is better to me.

Thank You Mohammad Irfanul Islam Drik Picture Library Ltd

-- Mohammad Irfanul Islam (darkroom@drik.net), September 03, 1998.

Reply to: Your Favorite RC Paper?

When talking about paper one typically hears Ilford and Kodak, but not usually Agfa (maybe a little hard to find?). B&W photography is just a hobby for me so I'm no expert, but I have excellent results with Agfa RC paper. I usually use MCP 310 RC glossy for testing and contacts etc and MCP 312 semi-matt for finish prints. Finally, where I live (Alberta, Canada) Agfa paper is usually about 30% less expensive. It's worth a try.

-- Paul Motz (ptmotz@telusplanet.net), September 17, 1998.

Try the Forte RC papers. These are wonderful papers out of east Europe. Be advised that they don't behave quite like the faster Kodak,Ilford, etc. papers. They have a very fine grain and are quite a bit slower than most other popular papers.

-- Robert Thomas (thoma5@bellsouth.net), September 27, 1998.

The very best RC paper that I have ever used (I've been doing darkroom work for over six years now) is Ilford MGIV RC pearl finish. It is very easy to work with and extremely forgiving of less than ideal conditions. Try it. I believe you will not be dissapointed.

-- Ellie m. Diaz (insemd@langate.gsu.edu), February 16, 1999.

Luminos RCR Art- Beautiful, lightly-textured RC with the look of a fine watercolor paper. Surface is similar to their premium weight fiber-based paper Charcoal R.

Walter

-- Walter Massa (Massacam@aol.com), May 29, 1999.

Larry, my TLR Rollei E model is a joy to use. I use 3 RC VC papers. Ilford MG IV RC has 1 grade less contrast than Polymax II RC. The whites are more brilliant. Ilford has less snap but a tad more mid tone and shadow separation. Forte RC VC has more open warmer tonalities than either Polymax or Ilford. Forte is similar in contrast to Polymax II. Forte has deep blacks and very high gloss which shows fingerprints more than the glossy surfaces for Ilford or Kodak. Since I mentioned surfaces; printing to a semi-mat finish seems provides slight contrast reduction. I'm still looking for the best.

-- Richard Jepsen (richard.jepsen@tinker.af.mil), September 17, 1999.